Ford is revising the Focus for 2022. The SYNC 4 infotainment system is available for the first time in the Focus. The design is also changing. We took a closer look at the compact car in the first check.
The Focus has been in the Ford product range since 1998. For the fourth generation , the Cologne-based company is giving the Focus a classic facelift - the design team actually changed the face of the Focus in particular. The greatest technical development is the integration of the SYNC 4 infotainment system. Production of the revised model will start in January 2022.
The equipment lines
Ford has been building the current Focus since 2018. The Cologne-based company is leaving the platform untouched for the facelift. The dimensions and trunk volume therefore remain identical. The compact car is also available as a hatchback or station wagon. The basic version is the Cool & Connect. In terms of price, the cheapest variant starts at 22,450 euros. Among other things, the customer receives manual air conditioning, LED headlights and the Park Pilot system. SYNC 3 is only available as an infotainment system in the Cool & Connect. In comparison, the other equipment lines are significantly more expensive. But SYNC 4 is installed in all of them. The Titanium costs 27,100 euros, can be started without a key, in contrast to the Cool & Connect, and has LED taillights. Next in the range: the Active with off-road looks such as fender panels. Its price list starts at 28,100 euros. The ground clearance is 29 millimeters higher than the Titanium or Cool & Connect. The variant comes standard with 17-inch wheels, while Titanium and Cool & Connect roll on 16-inch wheels. The ST-Line is the sporty version of the Focus, costs 28,100 euros and also has 17-inch wheels. If you want, you can also have 18-inch wheels fitted. At least 36,500 euros are due for the strongest Focus. If that's not enough for you, scrape together some change and get the ST X for 39,400 euros.
The top variant Focus Vignale disappears from the portfolio. In the future, with the introduction of the facelift, customers will be able to order the “X” and “Vignale” packages for the ST-Line, Titanium and Active equipment lines. For a surcharge of 1,400 euros, Ford offers the X package. It includes, among other things, a reversing camera, ambient lighting and an inductive charging station for mobile devices. The Vignale upgrade is available for another 2,100 euros. This includes the winter package. The steering wheel, front seats and windscreen can be heated there. In addition, Ford delivers the Focus with front door sill trims and alloy wheels.
Changed design
The front of the compact car shows the biggest changes. The bonnet design increases the front end of the Focus. The Ford logo is on the grille in the facelift, previously it was on the hood.The fog lights move up to the headlights. The design team fills the resulting space with placeholders that differ depending on the equipment line. With the facelift, the LED headlights are standard. Since these take up less space than ordinary headlights, the designers have made them sleeker and narrower for the 2022 Focus. The grille is also changed. Depending on the equipment line, the struts run differently. The Cool & Connect and the Titanium feature horizontal struts, while the Active have vertical struts. Most striking and distinctive is the grill of the Focus as ST-Line or ST. The honeycomb insert as the form of the air intake is intended to make the sporty ambitions of the compact car clear. In addition, Ford puts side skirts and a discreet rear wing on the Focus ST and ST-Line. The rear changed the designers only selectively. When the trunk is closed, the rear lights form a closed circle.
Interior and safety
The biggest change in the interior is SYNC 4. For the first time there is the infotainment system for the Focus. While the Cool & Connect is still based on the previous SYNC 3 model, the other equipment lines have the new system. According to Ford, this is significantly faster than its predecessor. The screen is 13.2 inches. Visually reassuring: Many buttons have been omitted and the driver will operate them via touchscreen in future. These include, for example, the temperature controller or the seat heating. Ford promises the driver is never more than a touch or two away from the desired function. The navigation system in SYNC 4 accesses live traffic data while driving to offer the driver the currently best route. A useful feature of the system is the search for a parking space. SYNC 4 provides information on parking opportunities for the searched destination. These include the price and what type of parking space it is. The system also specifies the opening times for a multi-storey car park. Especially in the city, the driver could save himself the annoying, time-consuming and ecologically disadvantageous search for a parking space. The system also registers repeated destination entries and suggests them to the driver. Speech recognition is improved. Example: When asked about an umbrella, SYNC 4 links it to information about the weather and passes this on to the driver. The Focus receives software updates through the system to keep it current. Thanks to the new system, no cables are required for Apple Carplay and Android Auto.
The rest of the interior remains optically unobtrusive. The newly developed loading carpet in the trunk of the station wagon is interesting. There is a rubber mat there, which is ideal for wet shoes or shopping bags. Due to the hold, they should no longer fall over. There are new seats for the Focus ST with the facelift.Previously, Recaro made the seats, now Ford has developed them themselves. They should be more comfortable.
For the first time there is a blind spot assistant in Focus. This steers against it if it detects a possible collision and prevents the driver from changing lanes. The system works between 65 km/h and 200 km/h. It scans the adjacent lanes 20 times per second at a distance of up to 28 meters. The assistant also includes the Cross-Traffic Alert, which warns the driver of crossing traffic when reversing out of a parking space. If the driver does not heed the warning, the emergency braking function intervenes and stops the car.
Engines
Ford already streamlined the range of engines for the Focus in 2020. The Cologne painted the 1.5-liter petrol engine with three cylinders. The portfolio also includes the one-liter three-cylinder with EcoBoost. It is available with 100 hp, 125 hp or 155 hp. Ford also offers the 125 hp petrol engine as a mild hybrid with 48-volt technology. For the first time, buyers can order the MHEV versions with an 8-speed automatic transmission if they wish. Ford only sells the 155 hp engine as a mild hybrid, the weakest machines with 100 hp and 125 hp without MHEV technology are only available with manual transmission. One advantage of the automatic transmission on the hybrid engine is efficiency. It maintains the optimum speed below 12 km/h and thus saves fuel. If you want a diesel under the hood of your Focus, you can opt for the 1.5 liter engine with 120 hp and four cylinders. Either shifted manually or with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Logically, Ford's flagship product is the strongest: the Focus ST. The compact sports car develops 280 hp from the 2.3-liter four-cylinder, and its maximum torque is 420 Nm. Customers can choose between a manual Focus and one with a 7-speed automatic transmission. All variants with a manual transmission have six gears.
Conclusion
With the facelift, Ford gives the Focus a different look. The front looks grippier and more angular than before. The new infotainment system SYNC 4 stands out in the interior of the compact car. It keeps the Focus up-to-date and rounds off the facelift.
